The Paperboy Shows Zac Efron at His Sexiest....and was that Matthew McConnaughey's B*m? (Post Big Smile)

I usually read movie reviews after I watch the movie and not before because I want to form my own opinion first and see if it matches with any of the general public.  

I don't even watch trailers because I want as little information about a movie as possible and just watch it because of star power.

Yeah, just like any movie fan, I want my favorite actor in that movie and I want him or her to surprise me!

So when I saw the DVD of The Paperboy lying on my desk - and saw Zac Efron on the cover picture, I said to myself, ok great, a light relaxing movie for this afternoon.

Was I very wrong!!  

A movie with such Oscar wattage - Nicole Kidman, Matthew Connaughey, and Lee Daniels - will most likely not be a light, fluffy movie.  

The Paperboy is not a light, fluffy movie.  It's like a lighter version of a movie that Quentin Tarantino would have directed. It's violent, it has plenty of white trash characters and it has plenty of characters that you would not normally care about.

But, it has enough scenes where Zac Efron is just frolicking in his skivvies.  The truth is, Zac Efron is many times more naked here than in any of the romantic movies he was in.  

And that his character is in love with Nicole Kidman's character, makes it even more sleazy since age-wise, he could be Nicole's son.

My favorite character in the movie is singer Macy Gray.  She's so adorable here because aside from Zac, nobody is.  I just wish she'd do more movies or TV work.

I read later that this movie was trashed by critics everywhere including a long booing session at the Cannes Film Festival.  

What did you expect?  That was the year Amour won and this movie and Amour are just poles apart!

Anyway, I enjoyed the movie because of its camp moments, especially two hilarious scenes which could've played out really well in American Pie 7. 

The scenes are supposed to be sexually charged but just like what David Oleyowolo's character did after one of the scenes, I was just laughing after seeing them.

By the way, Nicole Kidman is superb here, playing a serial flirty white trash peroxide blonde to the hilt.  She even did a 'Sharon Stone' - only with panties on!

Before I Go To Sleep: Going Against the Grain

The only plus point I can see in the Nicole Kidman starrer Before I Go to Sleep, is seeing Colin Firth playing a character that is totally opposite of the image he has projected as an actor.  I admit I was shocked to see him slap and punch and swing a champagne bottle at the helpless character played by Nicole Kidman!  This guy can actually play Hannibal Lecter if just given enough leverage!

As usual, Nicole Kidman tries to save the movie, giving it her all, but just like Grace of Monaco, this one doesn't quite get the audience's empathy.  Although it is a thriller, and we do get some tense moments once in a while - there's too much - "I want you to guess this" in the screenplay, it's like we're just being played. 

Fortunately, only a few people saw the movie.  I watched the first day showing in Trinoma and it was immediately pulled out the next day.  The last thriller I watched was Gone Girl and this one was miles away from it! It's like something you can just watch on TV.  Heck, even TV movies right now are much better!

Funniest and Most Charming Interview I'd Seen in Years!

I just love the look on his face when she said "I liked you." Stunning!
Sometimes you think that Hollywood had already scripted all the funniest and awkward scenes in a rom-com movie - but this one just happened so spontaneously it's so amazing to watch - I was in tears laughing at their repartee! 


Best interview I've seen in years! 


It actually kinda reminded me of the movie Notting Hill where Julia Roberts played this world-famous actress who falls in love with a bookshop owner in Notting Hill, played by Hugh Grant. Similar idea but the circumstances in this interview is just hilarious! 



I understand though why Jimmy felt he wasn't in Nicole's league at that time - I think 10 years ago, Nicole had already won her Oscar for The Hours and was already a very successful world-famous actress while Jimmy was still basically a nobody. But I guess she didn't care. 


Sayang dude! Sayang......

Diamonds and Haute Couture Save Nicole Kidman in Grace of Monaco

Diamonds and Chanel and Dior haute couture save Nicole Kidman in her movie Grace of Monaco. 

If you want to be a fashion stylist and want to see how real glamour looks like, better watch the movie Grace of Monaco, which is showing now in Manila theaters.  It's fashion and diamond pornography at its best.  It's like watching the movie version of Sex and the City, only this time, you are in the south of France, in the principality of Monaco.

I rarely watch movies here in Manila when they're screened on the first day, but I was a bit worried that Grace of Monaco would disappear the next day, I had to call Mama and we both watched Nicole Kidman essay the role of the elegant Princess Grace.

Well, although the historical events and all those famous figures hovering around the movie would've made for compelling and interesting cinema, this movie's one big yawn.  What kept me awake were those exquisite diamonds Nicole was wearing - and those fabulous clothes the costume designers asked her to wear!  

Grace Kelly was a major icon of her era - so to see her and her royal court lavishly and slavishly recreated in the big screen was such a treat for me!  Wouldn't be surprised if this movie snagged a nomination for Best Costume Design in next year's Oscars.

Revisiting The First Wives Club

It was a blast to see The First Wives Club again tonight!  I can't believe it has been 16 years since the movie has been released!  I still enjoyed watching the movie even if it was ages ago and the troika of Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn were great in the movie.  

It got me thinking though - what if the movie was done today, which three actresses would be perfect to play the three roles.  My friend, Archie suggested, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock and Angelina Jolie - and I gave him the thumbs up!  I would've thought Nicole Kidman as well - and maybe a woman of color - Halle Berry or Salma Hayek.  I think it's about time they made a sequel for this and update it a bit!  So much has changed in the past two decades!

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Golden Globes 2011 Spotlight: My Favorite Actress in the Drama Category

There are a lot of goodlooking actresses in the Best Actress - Drama Category this year.  The nominees are Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman and Michele Williams.  Well, among them, my most favorite is Nicole Kidman.  I haven't yet seen her Rabbit Hole movie but her filmography - among the five - is the most interesting to me - especially her performances in Moulin Rouge and The Others.  She has had her share of ups and downs in her career but I guess after getting out of the shadow of Tom Cruise - she was able to find herself and a path to a great career!